Preetjesmolen, Heule, Protected post mill in Heule, Belgium.
The Preetjesmolen is a wooden windmill in Heule with three flax scutching wheels, two of which are powered by wind and located at Hoge Dreef. The building displays the mechanical structures designed specifically for the flax processing work of that era.
Built in 1866 by Ivo Deprez, the mill suffered a fire in 1872 caused by overheating during a storm. It was reconstructed in 1874 and continued to function afterward.
The mill shows how linen was processed and the important role this craft held in the region's economy and daily work. Visitors can observe how the different machines work together to transform raw flax into usable fibers.
Access to the mill requires advance booking, as guided tours are the best way to learn about its interior and how it operates. The site is located at Hoge Dreef 24 in Heule, where all the machinery can be viewed.
It is the last of its kind in Europe for flax processing and uses specialized mechanisms like repel combs and binding chairs. These components enable the complete transformation of flax into fibers suitable for textile production.
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